North Korea’s economy is largely isolated and state-controlled, relying on limited trade with allies like China. Market competition is negligible due to centralized planning and restricted private enterprise. Public policies prioritize military spending over economic development, leaving infrastructure underdeveloped. Regulatory systems are opaque, deterring foreign investment. North Korean society faces significant poverty and food insecurity, with limited access to modern education or healthcare. Education focuses on state ideology, and healthcare infrastructure is rudimentary and underfunded. Climate challenges, including deforestation and soil degradation, exacerbate food shortages. Without significant policy shifts, North Korea’s economic prospects remain bleak.